Athletic Trainer Salary

New Orleans vs Slidell: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between New Orleans, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$63,134
$30.35/hr
Slidell, LA
$64,138
$30.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$63,134$64,138
Hourly Rate$30.35$30.83
Entry Level (P10)$52,587$52,430
25th Percentile$62,318$64,075
75th Percentile$80,523$80,460
Top Earner (P90)$87,303$83,767
Total Employed22030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($63,134) and Slidell ($64,138) athletic trainer salaries.New OrleansSlidellMedian Salary$63,134$64,138Entry Level (P10)$52,587$52,430Top Earner (P90)$87,303$83,767US Median $65,415

Verdict

New Orleans and Slidell are closely matched on overall athletic trainer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Slidell is $1,004 (1.59%). Slidell's median is -1.95% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $34,716,Slidell spans $31,337. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$52,587
P25$62,318
Median$63,134
P75$80,523
P90 (Top)$87,303
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$52,430
P25$64,075
Median$64,138
P75$80,460
P90 (Top)$83,767

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Slidell ($69,169 effective) pays 1.45% more than New Orleans ($68,181 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $63,134
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $68,181
Slidell
Nominal: $64,138
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $69,169

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,303)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,138/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,169)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in New Orleans grew 36.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.4% growth in Slidell over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+36.6%

$44,170 (2019) → $60,340 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+34.4%

$45,618 (2024) → $61,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: New Orleans or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $64,138/year, compared to New Orleans at $63,134/year — a difference of $1,004 (1.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Slidell?

New Orleans athletic trainers earn $30.35/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $30.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Slidell as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $68,181, Slidell = $69,169), job availability (220 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in New Orleans vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $52,587 in New Orleans and $52,430 in Slidell. The New Orleans area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov